AUBURN HILLS -- Less than three weeks ago, Austin Daye was buried on the Pistons bench.

Daye had not played meaningful minutes all season and with his rookie contract expiring at the end of the year, his career seemed at a crossroads.

Fast forward to today and Daye is walking around with a little more confidence.

Daye has found a spot in the Pistons rotation and hit the game-clinching 3-pointer Tuesday against the Kings.

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Since entering the Pistons rotation on Dec. 17, Daye has hit 11 of his 17 3-point attempts (64.7 percent).

"I just know when I shoot the ball, I feel it has a good chance of going in so I'm going to let it fly," Daye said.

"He's always been a knock down shooter," teammate Greg Monroe said. "Everybody from the players to the coaching staff has confidence in him. We know how talented he is so nothing he's doing right now is surprising. ... He's definitely been big, he's hit a couple big shots for us now. I think he's only going to get better."

Daye has already matched his total of 13 3-pointers made last season, when he shot just 21 percent from long range.

Daye's shooting has always been his strength, but he's also doing the other things. He's averaged 4.4 rebounds since entering the rotation (his career-high is 3.8 per game) and has six blocks (0.75 per game).

"I think it's evident I've been doing those things at a higher rate and a better job because I'm out there on the floor longer and in crucial times," Daye said. "If that (wasn't) the case I don't think I'd be in the game."

A month ago it was hard for Daye to imagine playing a key role off the bench. To Daye's credit he stayed ready in case he was called upon.

"I was going to be prepared for whatever happened," Daye said. "No matter if I was not playing the whole year, if I was not going to be here. I was going to stay prepared and be ready for whatever situation came. Luckily a situation came where I can get on the floor with my guys and be able to produce."

Pistons coach Lawrence Frank praised Daye's professionalism and his ability to remain a good teammate even while he wasn't playing.

"He never hung his head, was a great teammate, very engaged during the games," Frank said. "His head was in the game. I thought he showed great maturity with it. It's amazing how far that can take you. When you don't have clutter in your head. Regardless if you think you're getting the short end of the stick in terms of not playing, yet still being a positive teammate, still working, usually good things will happen for you.

"I think everyone is very genuinely happy for Austin, that he's been having some success. Obviously he's a talented guy. By staying both mentally and physically ready he's able to deliver. Obviously it's great to see him deliver in a big situation like (Tuesday)."

Daye's teammate Will Bynum certainly knows what it's like to be out of the rotation. Bynum has bounced in and out of the rotation throughout his career.

Bynum tried to make sure Daye stayed positive so he was ready when called upon.

"You guys don't know how tough it is to all your life be working to get here, in the position that you're in now, and then not have any control over your playing time," Bynum said. "Working your tail off in the summer time when nobody's watching, when nobody's around. Not having control of the situation. Mentally it's tough, it's draining sometimes.

"It's kind of hard to stay consistent with a routine, but as you get older and older, understand the situation a little bit better, you see Austin no matter what the situation is, he's ready to play. I think that just comes with age and constantly going through things."

Now both Daye and Bynum have played a crucial role in Detroit's recent success.The Pistons have won three straight and five of their last six in large part to inspired play from their bench.

The Pistons will likely need a big effort from their bench Friday when they host Atlanta (20-10) at The Palace.

Detroit's lone loss in its last six games is a double overtime loss at Atlanta on Dec. 26.

The Pistons trailed 81-62 heading into the fourth quarter, but were able to rally to force overtime thanks to inspired play from the bench, including Bynum (31 points) and Daye (eight points and a career-high 11 rebounds).

The Pistons will have to do a better job containing Atlanta's frontcourt of Josh Smith (season-high 31 points and 10 rebounds) and Al Horford (22 points and 10 rebounds).

Dave Pemberton covers the Pistons for The Oakland Press. Email him at dave.pemberton@oakpress.com and follow him on Twitter @drpemberton.